Adopted by the Board of Education, March 19, 2020
INTRODUCTION
The Zanesville City Schools recognizes that representing the school in any athletic contest or extracurricular activity is a privilege – not a right – that calls upon students to demonstrate the highest qualities of citizenship and leadership throughout the entire year. Together with the Ohio High School Athletic Association, the Zanesville City Schools Board of Education recognizes that the use and abuse of tobacco, electronic cigarettes, alcohol, and other drugs have a negative effect on behavior, learning, and athletic development and performance. In addition, the use and abuse by a student-athlete or club member affects teammates, family members, and other significant people in his or her life. Student-athletes and club members should not attend or remain in attendance at functions in which peer group/underage alcohol or illegal drug use is taking place. It should be recognized that this type of unsupervised activity may create a negative reflection on both the individual and athletic program and/or club. Therefore, a year-round code of conduct has been established for student-athletes and club members.
Extracurricular activities covered by the policy
include, but are not limited to:
| Archery | Devilettes | Marching Band | Student Council |
| Baseball | F.C.A. | National Honor Society | Swimming |
| Basketball | Football | Quiz Team | Tennis |
| Bowling | Golf | Robotics | Thespians |
| Cheerleaders | Key Club | Soccer | Track & Field |
| Class Officers | Foreign Language Club | Softball | Volleyball |
| Cross Country | Managers / Statisticians | Senior Mentoring | Wrestling |
As part of this Code of Conduct, Zanesville City Schools has adopted a
Drug Testing Policy (attached) that will be applied to students in selected
activities listed above. The fee is $20 per test. The District reserves the
right to change the coverage of tested students in the future.
TERMS
AND CONDITIONS
A. STUDENT-ATHLETE: A student-athlete is a
student who is or has participated in any of the athletic extracurricular
activities listed above in middle or high school.
B. CLUB MEMBERS: A club member is a student who has participated in any of the non-athletic extracurricular activities listed above in middle or high school.
C. ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION: Percentages apply to
regular season contests only, and student-athletes remain ineligible for
post-season competition as long as any carry-over consequences exist.
D. ATHLETIC SEASON: Is considered to run
from the first official day of practice established by O.H.S.A.A. through the
last official contest.
E. CHEERLEADER SEASON: Is considered to begin with the starting date for football practice and continues through the last official contest for varsity boys basketball. For purposes of enforcing loss of participation, football and boys basketball will be considered as two separate seasons. Football season ends with the last game, and boys’ basketball begins with the first practice date established by the O.H.S.A.A.
F. TWELVE-MONTH POLICY: All athletes and club members shall abide by a code of conduct which will earn him/her the honor and respect that participation and competition in the interscholastic program or clubs affords. Any conduct that results in dishonor to the athlete, the team/club, or the school will not be tolerated. Acts of unacceptable conduct, such as – but not limited to – theft, vandalism, disrespect, immorality, or violations of the law tarnish the reputation of everyone associated with the athletic programs or clubs, and will not be tolerated. This code shall be in effect for 12 months a year, 24 hours a day, for those who made the team or joined the club. If you make the team and quit, the code still applies. If an athlete is cut from the team, the code does not apply. The code of conduct applies for one calendar year after the conclusion of the last sports season in which the athlete participated.
G. HOSTING: For purposes of this Code of Conduct, a “Hosting” violation occurs when a student organizes and/or holds an event to which others are invited and where conduct prohibited by the Code of Conduct occurs. Hosting may occur in a student’s home or in any other public or private place. The totality of the circumstances shall be considered in determining whether a student is in violation of the Hosting prohibition of this Code of Conduct. One or more students may be in violation of the Hosting prohibition for the same event.
H. FAILURE TO COOPERATE: When, as a result of the consequences set forth hereinafter, a
student-athlete or club member is required to attend alcohol and drug
education, and if that student fails to agree to attend such a program, such
failure to agree to attend will result in the athlete being removed from
athletic participation, or club member from membership, until the starting date
of the season in which the infraction occurred. The student-athlete or club
member will be required to attend ten (10) hours of alcohol and drug education
before further participation will be granted.
I. PROOF: Discipline will be
administered upon the basis of clear and convincing evidence.
REGULATIONS: ALCOHOL AND DRUGS
Student-athletes and club members of Zanesville City School District shall not possess, give, sell, distribute or otherwise transmit any alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, and counterfeit drugs or controlled substance, the possession or transfer of which is prohibited by law. Further, the student-athlete or club member shall not use, or be under the influence of any alcoholic beverage, illegal drug, counterfeit drug, or controlled substance, including, but not limited to, narcotics, hallucinogenic drugs, amphetamines, steroids, cocaine, or intoxicants of any kind. (This Code of Conduct does not apply to medications prescribed by a student-athlete’s or club member’s physician.)
PENALTIES: Use or possession of Alcohol and/or Drugs
| First Violation | Second Violation | Third Violation |
| 1. The penalty for a first violation will be denial of athletic or club participation for 20% of the scheduled contests of the sport or length of the club activity. For an athlete, any remaining percentage of the prohibition of participation not served shall be applied toward the next sport in which the athlete participates. | 1. Upon confirmation of the second violation, athletic participation will be denied 50% of the scheduled contests of that sport, or 50% of the length of the club activity. For an athlete, any remaining percentage of the prohibition of participation not served shall be applied toward the next sport in which the athlete participates. | 1. The student-athlete found in violation for a third time shall be denied athletic participation for the remainder of their athletic career. A club member shall be denied further participation in club activities. |
| 2. The student agrees to complete a program of counseling as established by the district drug education coordinator. (An unexcused absence from a session will immediately reactivate the original prohibition of participation.) | 2. The student agrees to complete a program of counseling as established by the district drug education coordinator. (An unexcused absence from a session will immediately reactivate the original prohibition of participation.) | 2. After one calendar year from determination of his/her guilt an appeal can be made to the appeals board for reinstatement contingent upon substantiated rehabilitation. |
| 3. The student agrees to revoke any leadership positions, such as, but not limited to, team captain or club president, and will not hold any leadership positions on athletic teams or in clubs for the remainder of the school year. He/She will also forfeit individual recognition for awards such as Team MVP, Most Courageous, etc. | 3. The student-athlete must attend practice. He/She must travel with the team. He/She must sit on the bench with the team. He/She cannot be in uniform. | |
| 4. The student-athlete must attend practice. He/She must travel with the team. He/She must sit on the bench with the team. He/She cannot be in uniform. | | |
PENALTIES: sale or distribution of drugs/alcohol, or hosting a party
| First Violation | Second Violation |
| 1. The student found in first violation of sale, distribution, or hosting, will be treated the same as the second violation or possession. | 2. The student found in second violation of sale, distribution, or hosting will be treated the same as a third violation for use or possession. |
REGULATIONS: TOBACCO
& ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES
Possession or use of
tobacco in any form (cigarettes, cigars, snuff, chewing tobacco, etc.) and/or
electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes, e-vaporizers, electronic nicotine delivery
systems, etc.) is a violation of board policy and will result in the following
consequences:
PENALTIES: Tobacco & Electronic Cigarettes
| First Violation | Second Violation | Third Violation | Fourth Violation |
| 1. Denial of athletic participation or club activities for 10% of the scheduled contests of that sport or club activities. For an athlete, any remaining percentage of the prohibition of participation not served shall be applied toward the next sport in which the student-athlete participates. | 1. Denial of athletic participation or club activities for 20% of the scheduled contests of that sport or club acivities. For an athlete, any remaining percentage of the prohibition of participation not served shall be applied toward the next sport in which the student-athlete participates. | 1. Denial of athletic participation or club activities for 50% of the scheduled contests of that sport or club activities. For an athlete, any remaining percentage of the prohibition of participation not served shall be applied toward the next sport in which the student-athlete participates. | 1. The student or club member found in violation a fourth time shall be prohibited from athletic participation for the remainder of the athletic career. A club member shall be denied further participation in club activities. |
| 2. The student will be required to perform 6 hours of community service as approved by the school administration. | 2. The student will be required to perform 10 hours of a Tobacco Education Program as approved by school administration and conduct 6 hours of Community Service. | 2. The student will be required to perform 10 hours of a Tobacco Education Program as approved by school administration and conduct 6 hours of Community Service. | 2. After one calendar year from determination of his/her guilt, an appeal can be made to the appeals board for reinstatement contingent upon substantiated rehabilitation. |
| 3. The student-athlete must attend practice. He/She must travel with the team. He/She must sit on the bench with the team. He/She cannot be in uniform. | 3. The student agrees to revoke any leadership positions, such as, but not limited to, team captain or club president, and will not hold any leadership positions on athletic teams or in clubs for the remainder of the school year. He/She will also forfeit individual recognition for awards. | 3. The student agrees to revoke any leadership positions, such as, but not limited to, team captain or club president, and will not hold any leadership positions on athletic teams or in clubs for the remainder of the school year. He/She will also forfeit individual recognition for awards. | |
PENALTY DEFINITIONS FOR CODE OF CONDUCT RULES:
= To calculate the
percentage of penalty for prohibition, the number of regular season contests
scheduled will be used for each respective sport or club activity.
= When a penalty results
in a prohibition of a partial contest, the fraction will be rounded to the
nearest whole contest.
Example: 3.49 contests will be 3 contests; 3.50 contests will be 4 contests
If an activity goes into an extended season, the denial of participation would continue into the extended season. Example: (Football = 10 games) A violation occurs prior to the 9th game and
the student-athlete is suspended for two (2) games. The student would miss the
10th game and the first post-season game.
If denial of participation would extend into a student-athlete’s next season. Example: A violation occurs after Football Game #9 and the student-athlete involved participates in both football and basketball. The suspension would be Football Game #10 (1/10) and Basketball Games #1 and #2 (1/10), for a combined denial of 20%. A prohibited student-athlete who has a carry-over penalty into a succeeding sport must complete the season in good standing in order for the prohibition to be credited to that sport.
Any sophomore, junior,
or senior student-athlete who is serving a prohibition from participation will
not be permitted to serve their prohibition by going out for a sport for the
first time unless a prior commitment to that sport has been established.
The penalty for clubs or
extracurricular activities is determined by dividing the length of the activity
by the appropriate penalty. Example: 20% denial for a year-long activity would
equal a 7-week penalty.
REGULATIONS: CITIZENSHIP
INTRODUCTION
Student-athletes and club members should abide
by a code of ethics, which reflects the honor and respect that participation in
interscholastic athletic programs and club activities merit. Any conduct that
results in dishonor to the student-athlete or club member, to the team or club,
or to the school, will not be tolerated. Such acts of unacceptable conduct
include, but will not be limited to the following: theft, vandalism, disrespect,
and violations of the law.
Student-athletes should
additionally adhere to all Athletic Department grooming requirements.
Each head coach and club advisor is permitted to establish dress and grooming guidelines for student-athletes while they are representing the district during practice sessions, on game day, or while in attendance at any team activity or event during the athlete’s particular athletic season. Additionally, hairstyles should be such in which no undue attention is brought to the athlete. For example: boys’ hair off the collar, no facial hair.
VIOLATION AND
CONSEQUENCES
Any violation, in season or out of season, will result in a penalty which may consist of a warning up to and including denial of participation for the remainder of the student-athlete’s eligibility.
1. Grooming code
2. Flagrant disrespect for
coach or school official
3. Unexcused absence or
tardiness for practice or game
4. Misconduct in school,
game or practice
5. Late hours (curfew) – reasonable hours are to be kept during the sport in season as set forth by the coach
6. Theft
7. Vandalism to equipment or property – student may be required to replace damaged equipment/property
8. Suspension or expulsion
from school
9. Cutting class or
practice
10. Any behavior that may
show disrespect or be unbecoming of a student-athlete representing Zanesville
City Schools
11. Loss of equipment – student may be required to replace equipment
12. Affiliation with
undesirable gangs or wearing/displaying gang colors or symbols while
representing Zanesville City Schools
13. Failure to attend the
banquet may result in forfeiture of awards earned
FELONIES & MISDEMEANORS
FELONY
CHARGE
If you have been charged
with a felony, it will mean an immediate suspension from activities. The
student-athlete or club member who has been charged with a felony is required
to report the charge(s) to a school official (principal, athletic director, or
his/her coach/advisor) within five (5) calendar days of the arrest.
Reinstatement is dependent upon the nature of the charges, which is further
dependent upon the subsequent investigation.
FELONY
CONVICTION
If you have been
convicted of a felony, it will mean a suspension from activities for one
calendar year. After one calendar year from determination of his/her guilt, an
appeal can be made to the appeals board for reinstatement contingent upon
substantiated rehabilitation. The student-athlete or club member who has been
convicted of a felony is required to report the conviction to a school official
(principal, athletic director, or his/her coach/advisor) within five (5)
calendar days of the conviction. If the student-athlete or club member is found
innocent of the charge(s), he/she will be reinstated at that time.
MISDEMEANOR
CHARGE
If you have been charged
with a misdemeanor (other than minor traffic violations), it will mean an
immediate implementation of up to a 20% suspension from activities, as per the level
of offense(s) listed above. The suspension would be dependent upon the
investigation and the nature of the charges. The student-athlete or club member
who has been charged with a misdemeanor is required to report the charge(s) to
a school official (principal, athletic director, or his/her coach/advisor)
within five (5) calendar days of the arrest.
MISDEMEANOR
CONVICTION
If you have been
convicted of a misdemeanor, it will mean the potential for additional penalties
of a partial or permanent suspension from activities. The student-athlete or
club member who has been convicted of a misdemeanor is required to report the
conviction to a school official (principal, athletic director, or his/her
coach/advisor) within five (5) calendar days of the conviction. If the
student-athlete or club member is found innocent of the charge(s), he/she will
be reinstated at that time, if the 20% suspension is not yet complete.
DUE PROCESS
NOTICE
At the beginning of each school year or at the time a student tries out for an athletic team or joins a club, he/she will be presented with this handbook and all necessary forms and information for participating in athletics or clubs. Each parent/guardian and student shall read all of the material and certify that they understand all athletic department rules and regulations, or club requirements of the Zanesville City School District. The signed document(s) for student-athletes will be placed on in the athletic office – club advisors will curate documents for their memberships – and the documents will be required before participation is granted.
STUDENT RIGHTS UPON
VIOLATION
A student-athlete will be verbally informed of a
violation and pending consequences by his/her Coach or the Athletic Director,
and club members will be verbally informed by his/her club advisor. The student-athlete will be given the opportunity to respond to the violation.
If the consequences rise to the level of a game/contest suspension, or removal from a club/activity, a letter outlining the violation and subsequent consequences will be sent to the parent and/or legal guardian from either the Athletic Director or the club advisor. The parent and/or legal guardian will be given the opportunity to appeal that decision to the Building Principal. Such appeal must be requested within five (5) days of receiving the written notification. The student may be accompanied by a parent and/or legal guardian at a meeting held upon appeal. The decision of the Building Principal will be final.